Fire fighting apparatus

ABSTRACT

A fire fighting apparatus for confining a fire to an immediate area defined by a plurality of fire retardant curtains which are dropped from container cabinets upon actuation of a release mechanism which may be triggered manually or coincidentally with the actuation of a fire extinguishing device associated with the mechanism to be patented. In a preferred form, a plurality of fire retardant curtains are stored in a plurality of modular cabinets which are suspended from a ceiling covering the area to be protected. The release mechanism which allows the curtains to drop from one cabinet is connected to the release mechanism of adjacent cabinets for simultaneous operation of all associated cabinets. In use, operation of an automatically actuated fire extinguishing system, such as discharge of carbon dioxide to the area to be protected, causes a gas pressure drop serving to actuate the trigger mechanism which allows each door lock to move toward a released position to which it is normally biased. In the extended position, the curtains have their edges disposed adjacent one another so as not only to confine the extinguishing gas to a desired area but also to permit workers to escape through the curtains or fire fighting personnel to enter therethrough.

Singer States atent [54] FIRE FIGHTING APPARATUS Inventor:

Singer Safety Chicago, Ill.

June 22, 1970 Assignee: Products, Inc.,

Filed:

Appl. No.:

[52] US. Cl. ..160/1, 49/8, 160/33, 169/2, 292/35, 292/181 Int. Cl...E05f 15/20 Field of Search ..160/33, 35, 36, 84, 113,120, 160/1-10;49/1-8, 24; 169/1, 2; 292/DIG. 18,181,177, 35

Isadore Singer, Chicago, 111. 60611 7 7 Aug. 29, 1972 PrimaryExaminer-David J. Williamowsky Assistant Examiner-Philip C. KannanAttorney-Greist, Lockwood, Greenawalt & Dewey [57] ABSTRACT l A firefighting apparatus for confining a fire to an im- 1 mediate area definedby a plurality of fire retardant curtains which are dropped fromcontainer cabinets upon actuation of a release mechanism which may betriggered manually or coincidentally with the actuation of a fireextinguishing device associated with the mechanism to be patented. in apreferred form, a plurality of fire retardant curtains are stored in aplurality of modular cabinets which are suspended from a ceilingcovering the area to be protected. The release mechanism which allowsthe curtains to drop from one cabinet is connected to the releasemechanism of adjacent cabinets for simultaneous operation of allassociated cabinets. In use, operation of an automatically actuated fireextinguishing system, such as discharge of carbon dioxide to the area tobe protected, causes a gas pressure drop serving to actuate the triggermechanism which allows each door lock to move toward a released positionto which it is normally biased. In the extended position, the curtainshave their edges disposed adjacent one another so as not only to confinethe extinguishing gas to a desired area but also to permit workers toescape through the curtains or fire fighting personnel to entertherethrough.

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FIRE FIGHTING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The presentinvention relates to fire fighting equipment, and particularly to a firefighting apparatus adapted to be installed in a desired locationadjacent equipment presenting a fire hazard so that, in the event offire, fire retardant curtains contained within the apparatus willsimultaneously drop down in a predetermined pattern to surround theequipment and confine the flames and/or the gases used to extinguishthem.

It is common today, in many industrial installations, particularlyinstallations of equipment which uses or is associated with inflammablematerial such as volatile solvents and the like, to provide permanentlyassociated fire extinguishing apparatus for this equipment. Suchapparatus commonly consists of supply lines or pipes directing a fireextinguishing material, such as carbon dioxide or the like, to dischargenozzles disposed adjacent the equipments. Such systems also include adetector of a known type, so that, in the event of fire, the apparatusis quickly actuated and a spray of the carbon dioxide or the like isdirected into the general area of the equipment. Systems such as theseare very helpful in extinguishing or containing fires; however, there isstill room for improvement in fire fighting devices as a whole forreasons which will now be discussed.

Referring to a typical situation, a principal problem in fire fightingis not only that of directing the extinguish material toward thelocation where the fire started, but also to prevent the spread offlames, and to reduce the likelihood of explosion. In open areas,assuming that a volatile, inflammable solvent is burning, the spread offlames may be very rapid because the increased heat created by the firefurther volatilizes and spreads the vapors into areas which are remotefrom the origin of the fire. Since flame propagation may take placewherever favorable conditions for combustion are present, it is notuncommon for an extinguishing system to extinguish a localized portionof a fire but, in the process, displace a major portion of the unburnedvapors and the flame itself to another area where burning continues.

As a consequence of this, it is common to confine equipment presentingserious fire hazards within areas which are isolated from thesurroundings by permanent walls, heavy curtains and the like. A solutionof this type is not always highly desirable, however, since it generallyreduces accessibility to the equipment and creates difficulties andadded expense in providing ventilation and the like.

In addition, some equipment, by reason of its physical shape, is notsuited to confinement within small areas. Examples of such equipment arecontinuous process equipment, such as paper or film printing or coatingequipment, which is often laid out in a straight line of substantiallength.

In view of the general state of prior art fire protection systems, asexemplified by the equipment described above, and in view of theadvantages of confining equipment presenting combustion hazards torelatively small areas, it is an object of the present invention toprovide an improved fire fighting apparatus.

Another object is to provide fire fighting apparatus or equipment whichis adapted to surround the immediate area of a fire immediately upon thebreak out of such fire, while at the same time providing a constructionwhich does not interfere with the layout of or access to the equipmentto be protected.

A still further object is to provide fire fighting equipment which maybe instantaneously actuated in response to the triggering of anassociated fire extinguishing system and which may also be actuatedmanually.

A still further object is the provision of a fire fighting system whichcan be readily arranged in almost any desired configuration so that itis easily adapted to be used to protect a variety of equipment.

A further object is the provision of an apparatus adapted to store fireretardant curtains in an out-of-theway location during non-use thereof,while keeping such curtains available to drop from the storage area andsurround a predetermined area upon outbreak of a fire or detection of anactually or potentially hazardous condition.

Another object is the provision of a system of the above type whereinthe unlocking mechanisms for each of a number of curtain-containingcabinets are constructed are arranged for simultaneous actuation todischarge the curtains contained in the cabinets upon triggering of asingle detector or actuator.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such a device which,while adapted to surround completely a given area, permits easy movementof persons into and out of the area between individual curtains when allthe curtains are in position of use.

A still further object is the provision of such an apparatus which isadapted to discharge a plurality of curtains simultaneously, but whichmay be reloaded for subsequent use one module or cabinet at a time.

A further object of the invention is the provision, in a fire fightingsystem of the type described, of a temporary lock mechanism used tofacilitate reloading of individual curtain-containing cabinets after useof the apparatus.

A still further object is the provision of an apparatus having the aboveenumerated features and characteristics and which is furthercharacterized by case of manufacture and installation, as well aseconomy of manufacture and simplicity and reliability in operation.

The present invention accomplishes these objects, and other inherentobjects and advantages thereof, by providing a fire fighting apparatushaving a plurality of cabinets, each adapted to store a fire retardantcurtain therein, means associated with each cabinet for permittingdischarge of the curtain from the cabinet and means for actuating thedischarge means of the several cabinets simultaneously in response to apredetermined signal or condition. The exact manner in which theinvention accomplishes these objects, and other inherent referencenumerals indicate corresponding parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of thefire fighting apparatus of the invention, showing the curtains of theapparatus in the lowered positions thereof defining an area to which thefire may be confined;

FIG. 2 is a plan view, with portions broken away, showing the bottom ofthe fire fighting apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged plan view of the actuating portion ofthe fire fighting apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of one of the cabinets of theinvention, showing a curtain in place therein;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 4 and showing thecurtain support door in an open position;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the triggering mechanism partly inelevation and partly in section and showing the same in the closedposition and ready for automatic release;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but showing the manner in which thetrigger mechanism is actuated by manual control; and,

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the temporarylock mechanism used to facilitate reloading of the apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Although thepresent invention will be described with reference to an apparatusdesigned for use in association with an existing fire extinguishingsystem and wherein five retardant plastic curtains are disposed withinmetal storage cabinets, it will be understood that the principles of theinvention may be embodied in other structures having other componentsand elements adapted to perform the same function. Likewise, it will beunderstood that, depending on the structure of the building containingthe apparatus to be protected, it is not necessary that the cabinets andassociated curtains be arranged in a rectangular fashion, inasmuch asany desired arrangement thereof may be easily made by reason of themodular construction of the device, and further in view of the fact thatexisting walls, partitions or curtains may form one or more of the meansfor totally surrounding the apparatus to be protected in order to retainthe fire fighting gases and vapors therein and to prevent the spread offlame and flammable materials.

In addition, although the apparatus is described with reference to anassociated carbon dioxide type fire extinguishing system, it will beappreciated that the apparatus of the invention is equally useful withother forms of fire fighting apparatus, including those in which othergas, liquid or foam type of extinguishing agents are used, either singlyor in combination.

Referring now to one preferred form of apparatus in greater detail, FIG.1 shows a fire fighting apparatus generally designated to comprise aplurality of individual cabinets 22, 24, 26, etc., each havingoperatively associated therewith a suspended, fire retardant curtain 28,3b which is adapted, in an extended position thereof, to close off thearea between an associated cabinet 24, 26 and the floor 32 of thestructure in which the unit is housed. Conventional fasteners 34 areutilized to suspend the cabinets 22, 24, 26 from the ceiling 36 or otherelevated portion of the structure. As may also be seen by reference toFIG. 1, the curtains 28, 30 are released by opening ofcurtain-supporting doors 38, 40 which are supported for movement betweenopened and closed positions by hinges 42 attached to the doors 38, 40and to the side walls 44, 46 of the cabinets 24, 26. As will become moreclearly apparent as the description proceeds, these curtain supportingdoors are adapted to be released when unlocking means (FIG. 3) which areprovided for cooperation with slots 48, 50 in the doors are actuated.Convenient storage of the curtains 28, 30 is accomplished by providingthe same with a plurality of permanent but relatively resilientaccordion pleats 52. The bottom margins 54, 56 of the curtains 28, 30are preferably weighted, as by incorporation therein of a length ofchain, a heavy rod or the like. The use of the chain for this purpose isadvantageous in that it enables the bottom edge of the curtain tooverlie and closely surround any irregular surface which may be disposedtherebeneath. The stiff lower surface provided by a rod or the likewould be acceptable in some cases, however.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the principal elements of the mechanism58 for operating the apparatus are shown. The elements of this mechanism58 include an operating rod assembly 60 and an unlocking mechanism 62for operative association therewith. As shown in FIG. 2, the cabinet 24has associated therewith an operating rod 64 connected at flexiblejoints 66 to a pair of links 68 movably mounted, as at 70, to brackets72 associated with a side wall 74 disposed opposite the other side wall44 of the cabinet 24. Extensions 76 on either end of the rod 64 areprovided for association with an adjacent rod or for association with abell crank or a portion of the actuator mechanism, as will be set forthin further detail herein. Accordingly, it can be seen that mounting ofthe rod 64 permits it to move between positions which are respectivelycloser to and farther spaced apart from the side wail 74.

Referring now to the unlocking mechanism 62, this unit is shown toinclude a roller 78 mounted at the end of an arm 80 for movement betweenpositions closer and more distantly spaced apart from the side wall 74respectively.

A bracket 82 supports an intermediate link 84 at pivot point 86, while apivoted connection 88'is provided for connection of the link 84 to thearm 80. A spring unit 90 exerts a strong outward force on a collar 92associated with a rod 94, the nose portion 96 of which extends throughan opening 98 in the flange 100 of the door 38. The rod 94 is joined ata pivot point 92 to a central portion of the arm 80.

An additional feature of the invention resides in the provision of atemporary lock assembly 104 which includes a locking element 106 havinga slot 108 therein and movably mounted as at 110 to a bracket 112fastened to the side wall 74. In use, the slot 108 may be lockinglyengaged with a stub 113 extending outwardly from the center of theroller 78, so as to keep the roller 78 and the parts associatedtherewith, including the arm 80 and the nose 96 of the rod 94 in theposition shown in phantom lines in FIG. 3, and shown enlarged in FIG. 4.

It will also be understood that, after one use of the invention, thecabinets 24, 26, etc., will be desired to be reloaded individually forconvenience, and therefore,

as each curtain 28, 30, etc., is folded and moved into a position so asto be supported by its associated door 38, 41}, etc., the nose 96 of therod 94 will be engaged with the opening 98, thereby retaining theindividual door in the closed position. Since the temporary lock 106will prevent outward movement of the roller 78 until after eachindividual cabinet has been reloaded, and since the rod 64 supplies theforce to keep the rod 94 in position with its end 96 engaged with thedoor 38 after all cabinets are loaded and locked, the temporary lock 106may thereafter be moved to the open position shown in FIG. 3. In thisway, the unit is ready to repeat its operating cycle at any time afterreloading. Another embodiment of this feature will be referred toherein.

Referring now to FIG. 2, it will be appreciated that the plurality ofcabinets 24, 26, etc., may be arranged in any desired pattern, withrespective end portions thereof 114, 116 abutting one another or joinedat a mitered corner 1 18. The illustrated configuration is that of arectangle, with one leg thereof not shown and the other legs shown withportions thereof broken away. It will be understood that any reasonablenumber of units may be used and that the shape of the area to beprotected can be defined by arranging the cabinets in any form desired.It is also apparent that the area in question may be enclosed in part bypermanent walls or partitions and that the remainder may be adapted tobe enclosed by curtains falling into the position of use when the deviceis actuated. Accordingly, the cabinets 24, 26 need not surround theentire defined area if such area is otherwise surrounded by fireretardant structure.

Referring again to FIG. 2, it will be shown that the extensions 76 ofeach rod 64 are operatively associated with one another by means ofturnbuckles 120. The extensions 76 are also operatively connected toeach other by a bell crank 122 which is pivotally attached, as at 124,to the corner portion of one of the cabinets. In this manner, acontinuous connection between all cabinets and their associatedoperating rod assemblies is assured. The provision of the turnbuckles120 or their equivalent provides means for adjusting the assembly tocompensate for dimensional variations in manufacturing and installation.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, actuation of the device is illustrated.As shown in FIG. 6, an actuator assembly 126 and a connector assembly128 are provided for operative association with one end portion 130 ofone of the rod extensions 76. The actuator, in a typical embodiment,includes a rod 132 having a nose portion 134 which extends into theinterior of a large link 136. The actuator 126 also includes a cylinderassembly 138 containing a piston 14-0 to which the rod 132 is fixedlyattached, and sealing means in the form of an O-ring or the like. Gaspressure within the volume 144 above the piston 140 is maintainedcontinuously, since a tube 146 is connected to the gas supply. As shownin FIG. 6, gas pressure urges the piston 140 downwardly, whereas thespring 148 urges the piston upwardly. Consequently, as long as thepressure of the gas, which is preferably the carbon dioxide gas used inthe extinguishing system, supplies a force great enough to overcome thatof the spring, the tip 134 of the rod 132 will keep the link 136 frombeing released. A leaf spring 151 keeps the link 136 from fallingvertically and thus unintentionally triggering the system.

The cumulative force of all the springs forming parts of the unlockingmechanism 62 urge the extensions 76 of the rod 64 to the left as shownin FIG. 6. Therefore, when the CO system which is intended to extinguishthe fire is actuated, pressure in the area 144 drops instantaneously,permitting the piston to be moved upwardly by the spring 148, therebymoving the nose 134 of the rod 132 to the upward position shown inphantom lines in FIG. 6. Accordingly, when the CO or other likeextinguishing system is actuated automatically, the actuator 126operates simultaneously and each unlocking mechanism 62 instantaneouslyreleases its associated curtain-supporting door 38, 40, etc., so thatthe curtains can drop to the floor and surround the defined area. Aswill be appreciated, this action not only prevents the spread of flameand flammable, volatile material through the air but also confines theCO or other extinguishing gas to the immediate area defined by the firefighting apparatus of the invention. Accordingly, the fire fighting gasor the like cannot diffuse away from the immediate area and any givenamount thereof is much more effective to extinguish the fire.

Referring again to FIG. 6, it will be seen that the connector assembly128 includes an upper portion 152 having a slot 154 therein and that thebottom of the slot 154 is closed off in use by an upper surface 156 ofthe leg 158 which is mounted, as at 160, for pivotal movement.Consequently, a force applied to the left as shown in FIG. 6, on the toeportion 162 urges the leg 158 into the upward position shown, and aslong as tension is present to create this force, the link 136 may notdrop vertically or otherwise escape confinement from the connectorassembly 128.

Referring now both to FIGS. 6 and 7, and having in mind that an objectof the invention is to provide manual actuation as well as automatictriggering of the apparatus, the need for providing the link 164 and thechain 166 will be appreciated. In the use of the manual actuator, adownward pull on the chain 166 will move the leg 158 downwardly, causingthe foot 166 to move the portion of the link 136 associated therewithinto a position beneath the pivot point 160, whereupon the force appliedto the connector assembly 128 will open it to the position shown in FIG.7. As a result, the upper portion 152 of the connector assembly 128 canmove to the left, releasing the doors, while the leg 158 and the chain166 associated therewith move through the link 136. Thus, the apparatusof the invention may be triggered manually with the same effect asthough operated in response to operation of the fire extinguishingsystem, although the exact operational sequence of the two releasemechanisms is slightly different.

Referring now to FIG. 8, another form of the temporary lock arrangement104 is shown. As can be seen by reference to FIG. 8, the rod 64, theroller 78, the spring 90, rod 94 and other principal elements of thisform of apparatus are the same as those shown in FIG. 3. However, inthis embodiment, the temporary lock 106 is removably received over astub 170 which extends outwardly from the bracket 112, and a chain 172is provided for tethering the removable temporary lock 106 to thebracket 1 12. According to this form of the invention, an additionalsafety feature is provided, as will now be set forth. Use of the form ofassembly 104 shown in FIG. 8 is made in the same manner as that of itscounterpart, that is, the lock 106 is positioned so that the slot 108therein engages the stub shaft 112, while the lock 106 is held in placewith the opening 174 therein engaged by the shaft 170. After allcurtains have been stored, when the rod 64 is in contact with the roller78, and all associated parts are in the locked position, the lock 106 isremoved and allowed to hang downwardly in the position shown in phantomlines in FIG. 8. In this manner, a simple visual check of each cabinet22, 24, etc. will show that all temporary locks are in the removedposition and that unintentional or accidental failure to function willnot be occasioned by reason of one or more of the locks remaining inplace.

Referring now to another feature of the invention, it will be noted thatby providing a plurality of individual cabinets and individual curtainsrather than a single cabinet for each side of the area to be enclosed ordefined, not only is production simplified and made more economical, butthe provision of separate but closely adjacently disposed curtains makesit easy for persons to pass between the curtains if desired, withoutcompromising the effectiveness of the curtains. In other words, a persontrapped within the curtained area is able to escape therefrom at any oneof a number of places, and would normally be able to push one curtainaside temporarily in the event that the person were not able to escapeat a point where the edges of two adjacent curtains met. Furthermore,this feature provides the same advantages for firemen or the like whomay desire to enter the curtained off area to help extinguish the fire.

Referring now to the preferred construction of the apparatus of theinvention, although no particular materials are necessarily required forconstructing the apparatus, it is preferred that the cabinets be made ofmetal, such as steel, and that the hinge assemblies be made of stainlesssteel, so that the likelihood of rust or corrosion rendering theminoperable is minimized. This is because the units might be called uponto perform even after a period of several years or more of non-use.Preferably, the curtain material is of a vinyl coated nylon or othertough, fire retardant material which can be obtained at reasonable costand which is easy to store by reason of folding compactly into thecabinets. The remainder of the elements may be made of steel, withmoving parts preferably being made from stainless steel or brass. Thetriggering mechanism may be made of any suitable construction, anillustrative construction thereof only having been shown in view of thefact that the details of the operation thereof do not form an essentialpart of the present invention.

ln certain instances, the nature of the material presenting the firehazard will dictate the material from which the curtains should be made.For example, an asbestos or treated asbestos curtain may be preferredfor use where the hazard is one involving high burning temperatures orpersistent and intense flames. Still other materials now available orhereafter developed may be used as the curtain material as may beindicated by the nature of the hazard.

it will thus be seen that the present invention provides a novel firefighting apparatus having a number of novel advantages andcharacteristics including those pointed out herein and others which areinherent in the invention.

ifiihie fighting apparatus comprising, in combination, a plurality ofindividual cabinets disposed adjacent one another so as to define atleast partially the periphery of an area to which a fire may beconfined, each of said cabinets comprising a pair of side walls and abottom door extending between said side walls at the lower marginsthereof, said door being adapted to move between an open and a closedposition, a curtain disposed within each cabinet, each curtain havingone end portion thereof fixed to a portion of its associated cabinet andthe other end thereof free from said cabinet, said curtain being adaptedto be folded into a relatively small volume so as to be able to bedisposed within said cabinet and to be supported therein by said doorwhen said door is in said closed position, a latching mechanism forholding said door in said closed position and for releasing said door toallow it to move to said open position thereof, said latching mechanismincluding a latch unit having a nose portion adapted to engage said doorin one position of said latch unit and to be disengaged from said doorin another position of said latch unit, spring means urging said latchunit under a predetermined force to said disengaged position, a linksystem having one portion thereof fixed in relation to said cabinet,another portion thereof adapted to engage a movable retainer assembly,and a still further portion attached to said latch unit, a movableretainer assembly including mounting links and a retainer bar, saidretainer bar having end portions adapted for operative attachment to acorresponding bar on an adjacent cabinet, one of said bars beingoperable in response to a single triggering signal, whereby, saidtriggering signal will cause movement of said retainer bars, movement ofsaid link system, and permit latch movement to cause said doors of saidcabinets to be opened simultaneously.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said release mechanism ispositioned, in the locked position thereof, so as to require fortriggering thereof only a relatively small force in relation to saidpredetermined force exerted by said spring means.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said latching mechanismis operable in response to the actuation of a fire extinguishing systemoperatively associated with said apparatus.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said latching system ismanually actuable.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 which includes temporary locks formaintaining said individual latches in position to support said doors,said locks being adapted to be removed after said individual latches arein said supporting positions.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said curtains arecomprised of a fire retardant, synthetic plastic material.

1. A fire fighting apparatus comprising, in combination, a plurality ofindividual cabinets disposed adjacent one another so as to define atleast partially the periphery of an area to which a fire may beconfined, each of said cabinets comprising a pair of side walls and abottom door extending between said side walls at the lower marginsthereof, said door being adapted to move between an open and a closedposition, a curtain disposed within each cabinet, each curtain havingone end portion thereof fixed to a portion of its associated cabinet andthe other end thereof free from said cabinet, said curtain being adaptedto be folded into a relatively small volume so as to be able to bedisposed within said cabinet and to be supported therein by said doorwhen said door is in said closed position, a latching mechanism forholding said door in said closed position and for releasing said door toallow it to move to said open position thereof, said latching mechanismincluding a latch unit having a nose portion adapted to engage said doorin one position of said latch unit and to be disengaged from said doorin another position of said latch unit, spring means urging said latchunit under a predetermined force to said disengaged position, a linksystem having one portion thereof fixed in relation to said cabinet,another portion thereof adapted to engage a movable retainer assembly,and a still further portion attached to said latch unit, a movableretainer assembly including mounting links and a retainer bar, saidretainer bar having end portions adapted for operative attachment to acorresponding bar on an adjacent cabinet, one of said bars beingoperable in response to a single triggering signal, whereby, saidtriggering signal will cause movement of said retainer bars, movement ofsaid link system, and permit latch movement to cause said doors of saidcabinets to be opened simultaneously.
 2. An apparatus as defined inclaim 1 wherein said release mechanism is positioned, in the lockedposition thereof, so as to require for triggering thereof only arelatively small force in relation to said predetermined force exertedby said spring means.
 3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 in whichsaid latching mechanism is operable in response to the actuation of afire extinguishing system operatively associated with said apparatus. 4.An apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said latching system ismanually actuable.
 5. An apparAtus as defined in claim 1 which includestemporary locks for maintaining said individual latches in position tosupport said doors, said locks being adapted to be removed after saidindividual latches are in said supporting positions.
 6. An apparatus asdefined in claim 1 wherein said curtains are comprised of a fireretardant, synthetic plastic material.